A Couple's Rebirth to 1977 Before Marriage

Chapter 177: Chapter 174: Ping’an

Because Elder Ping held him in high regard and Mrs. Ping paid them special attention, Li Xiu and Zhou Lian caught the eyes of all the powerful figures at the gala. The younger generations of the various families were also incredibly curious about them. After all, everyone in the upper echelons knew about the recent affair that had turned the Capital City upside down. Out of deference to Elder Ping and several other patriarchs, no one had dared to be the one to stick their neck out and confront Li Xiu. But now that he was right there in front of them, everyone was buzzing with curiosity.

Mrs. Ping had Ping’an accompany Li Xiu and his wife the entire time. Ping’an himself was quite curious about Li Xiu, who was only a few years his senior. Besides, with the backing of Elder Ping and Mrs. Ping, and the fact that everyone who could attend this gala was as sharp as a tack, no one was foolish enough to cause trouble on this occasion.

When the gala ended, Ping’an personally drove Li Xiu and Zhou Lian home. Li Xiu raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. Looking at the inexperienced Ping’an, he instantly understood Mrs. Ping’s intentions—why she had Ping’an accompany them all evening and now had him drive them home. ’Oh well,’ he thought, ’I’ll just consider this repaying Elder Ping for his protection.’

After watching Ping’an drive away, Li Xiu turned and helped Zhou Lian slowly into the house. Hearing the door open, Sister Fang came out. Seeing it was them, she said with a smile, "You two should wash up and get some rest. Nuonuo is already asleep, so don’t you worry about her!"

Zhou Lian smiled and thanked Sister Fang. After washing up and changing her clothes, she lay down on the bed, let out a breath, and said, "Jin Chen, what does Mrs. Ping mean by this? Does she want you to mentor the Ping Family’s youngest son?"

Li Xiu gently pulled her into his arms, chuckled, and said nonchalantly, "I suppose so. The young man is at that age, full of spirit and vigor. He probably doesn’t want to be constrained by joining the system. Bao’er, you know that because of Elder Ping’s past ups and downs, the Ping Family’s eldest son absolutely detests anything to do with the establishment. Once Elder Ping is gone, the Ping Family will have no successor. Mrs. Ping probably doesn’t want to force her youngest son, so she sent him to me. If I can successfully mentor him, it’s a happy outcome for everyone. If not, well, that’s that."

Zhou Lian nodded thoughtfully. ’In our past life, the Ping Family all but vanished from the public eye after Elder Ping passed away, falling from their position as a top-tier family. If Li Xiu can truly shape their youngest son, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. After all, the Ping Family’s upbringing is solid. If they were to regain great power in the future, they would likely rule with integrity and honesty.’

"So what are you thinking? Are you going to put in the effort?" Zhou Lian asked curiously. ’If Li Xiu really decides to mentor him, there’s a high chance the young man will just be led down a rabbit hole by him. I just don’t know what Li Xiu is really...’

Li Xiu chuckled and said gently, "Bao’er, some things aren’t as simple as they seem. But the Ping Family’s youngest son is definitely worth shaping." He knew Zhou Lian was thinking about the Ping Family’s decline in their past life. ’The truth was never that simple! In their last life, the young man didn’t join the system, partly because Elder Ping and Mrs. Ping couldn’t bear to force him. But another reason was that many powerful figures didn’t want to see power simply passed down from father to son. Elder Ping must have understood that, which is why he never forced the issue.’

Letting out a soft yawn, Zhou Lian murmured, "As long as you have a plan, that’s fine. Let’s go to sleep. I’m a little tired."

He gave her a light kiss and gently patted her back. "Sleep now, Bao’er," he said softly. "Sweet dreams."

As Zhou Lian’s breathing grew soft and even, Li Xiu closed his eyes and began to think. ’Those few hours at the gala... I see now. Those old patriarchs from the Imperial Palace were building up my prestige. They want every major family to understand that even if I don’t join the system, I have powerful backers. Anyone who wants to make a move on me had better weigh their own strength first. As for Mrs. Ping having her son stick with me and Zhou Lian... she was vetting a new mentor for him. She knows my master, she trusts my master, and so she’s taking a gamble on me, seeing if I can change her son.’

’So be it. When it comes to shaping someone, I’m really not intimidated. I have the experience of two lifetimes, for one. And for another, the young man is plenty smart. He’s just hot-headed and hasn’t yet seen through the true nature of the world, nor the cruelty and reality of this arena of fame and power. Once he understands that, things should become much simpler.’

In the days that followed, just as expected, Ping’an reported to Li Xiu’s house every day. Li Xiu never lectured him. When Ping’an arrived, Li Xiu would simply lead him to the study and give him books to read: the *Shi Ji*, the *Zi Zhi Tong Jian*, and various short biographies of emperors, kings, generals, and ministers from throughout the dynasties. Seeing the surprise on Ping’an’s face, Li Xiu didn’t offer much of an explanation, only saying, "When I was first learning to read, my master used these texts to teach me."

Life continued in this orderly fashion. Zhou Lian’s belly grew bigger by the day. Aside from occasionally discussing politics and worldly affairs with Ping’an, Li Xiu focused most of his time on his wife, Zhou Lian. He would also bring Nuonuo into the study to let her soak up the scholarly atmosphere.

One day, Ping’an returned home and proactively sought out Mrs. Ping. "Mom," he asked softly, "you know I don’t want to join the system. I understand that you found someone to teach me, and I’m cooperating, but... why Li Jincheng?"

Looking at her youngest son, who had grown noticeably calmer, Mrs. Ping asked with a smile, "And what do you think?"

"Never mind that Li Jincheng is only two or three years older than me, he hasn’t actually taught me anything. He just has me read books every day and only occasionally speaks with me," Ping’an said in a low voice. ’He truly didn’t understand why his mother would have someone his own age—a person who had never even attended a single day of formal schooling—teach him.’

"What books has he had you read?" Mrs. Ping asked with a smile, looking at Ping’an. ’It seems her gamble had paid off. Look at him now, already being led down the rabbit hole by Li Xiu.’

Ping’an answered softly, "The *Shi Ji*, the *Zi Zhi Tong Jian*, and some short biographies of various emperors, kings, and ministers."

"And what has he told you?"

Ping’an frowned as he recalled his conversations with Li Xiu. "He said that his master used these same books for his primary education. Other than that, he talks about things in officialdom, and about worldly wisdom and human nature... Mom, what exactly is he trying to teach me?"

"An’er, what are your thoughts? After reading these books and listening to what Li Jincheng has said, what do you think?" Mrs. Ping asked calmly. ’He really does possess a Seven-orifice Exquisite Heart. Yun Qi is so fortunate. To think he could raise such a perceptive disciple in such an isolated place. I’m truly envious!’

"That official relationships are paper-thin. That a career in politics is a turbulent sea of ups and downs. That it’s all about mutual deception, constant scheming, struggles for power, and attacks from both the front and back..."

Before Ping’an could finish, Mrs. Ping asked, a bemused expression on her face, "Is that all you took from it? Have you told Li Jincheng this?"

"I have!"

"Then how did Li Jincheng respond?" Mrs. Ping pressed with a smile.

"He said it’s all very normal. That people are the most complicated things in existence, and wherever there are people, there will be conflict." Ping’an paused for a moment before continuing, "He also said that for a man to live an upright life with a clear conscience, his duties must be approached in order. First, you must protect your own family. Then, you consider what you can do for your country. Only after that can you think about bringing peace to the world. It’s different from what Father taught me!"

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